Hyacinth spraying begins early

The state began spraying Monday to control water hyacinth, good news for Delta boaters who watched the glossy alien weed grow to unprecedented levels the past two years.

Alex Breitler

The state began spraying Monday to control water hyacinth, good news for Delta boaters who watched the glossy alien weed grow to unprecedented levels the past two years.

Traditionally, the state Department of Boating and Waterways has started its annual spraying around July 1. Last year, the start date was pushed back to Aug. 13 because the state failed to promptly acquire permits from wildlife agencies.

By then, hyacinth had bloomed across the Delta, and it was too late to control it.

Now the state has a five-year permit that should reduce paperwork and allow earlier spraying each year.

Don't expect the hyacinth to disappear, Boating and Waterways spokeswoman Gloria Sandoval said. "But hopefully it will be at levels that will not affect any public safety, navigation issues, things like that," she said.

Boaters and marina owners raised a ruckus about the recent infestations, prompting state and federal lawmakers to intervene and press for a solution.

Bill Pease, owner of River's End Marina near Tracy, said Monday that all of this could have been avoided. He estimates his marina lost $150,000 to $200,000 in business over the past two years because boats couldn't launch.

"The state solved a problem that was self-inflicted," he said Monday. "I am extremely disappointed in the entire process, and I'm still a little apprehensive about how they're going to go about the spraying program itself."

Under the new plan, Stockton-area waterways can be sprayed immediately. The state is waiting to spray west and north Delta waterways until June 1 to protect sensitive fish.

Assemblywoman Susan Eggman, D-Stockton, met with state Natural Resources Secretary John Laird to share her concern in early January.

"The water hyacinth problem is an example of what happens when government doesn't work," she said Monday.